Apparatus for supporting a camera

Abstract

Apparatus for supporting a camera includes an elongated support member having an elongated hollow interior for receiving the forearm of a person using the apparatus. A stabilizing strap extends from the elongated support member about the neck of the user of the apparatus. Mounts are provided for mounting a camera and related equipment such as a video monitor on the elongated support member and the user can grasp a handle in the hollow interior of the elongated support member to resist relative movement between the elongated support member and the user's forearm.

I claim: 
     
       1. Apparatus for supporting a camera, said apparatus comprising, in combination: an elongated support member defining an elongated hollow interior for receiving and having substantially positioned therein the forearm of a person using the apparatus;   a stabilizing member connected to said elongated support member and extendable outwardly from said elongated support member, said stabilizing member for positioning about the neck of a person using the apparatus to exert a stabilizing force on the elongated support member when the forearm of said person is substantially positioned within the elongated hollow interior of said elongated support member; and   camera mounting means connected to said elongated support member for mounting a camera on said elongated support member.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus according to claim 1 additionally comprising accessory mounting means connected to said elongated support member spaced from said camera mounting means. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said camera is a video camera and wherein said accessory mounting means is for mounting a monitor adjacent to a video camera mounted on said camera mounting means. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus according to claim 1 additionally comprising a manually graspable handle affixed to said elongated support member and extending into said elongated hollow interior, said manually graspable handle for grasping by the hand of a person using the apparatus to restrict relative movement between the elongated support member and the person's forearm substantially positioned in said elongated hollow interior. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said elongated support member has two opposed ends, at least one of said opposed ends defining an opening communicating with said elongated hollow interior and for receiving the forearm of a person using the apparatus, said apparatus including handle means external of said elongated support member and adjacent one of said opposed ends. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said elongated support member has an elongated support member wall extending substantially about said elongated hollow interior and defining said elongated hollow interior. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said elongated support member wall is rigid and has a generally tube-like configuration. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said stabilizing member comprises a strap positionable about the neck of a person using the apparatus, said strap having at least one strap end connected to said elongated support member. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said elongated support member has opposed ends, said apparatus additionally comprising leg means connected to said elongated support member and including a plurality of leg members extending downwardly from said elongated support member. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said leg members are closer to one of said elongated support member opposed ends than to the other of said elongated support member opposed ends. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said leg means is adjustably connected to said elongated support member. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said accessory mounting means comprises a plurality of accessory mounts connected to said elongated support member for supporting a plurality of accessories at spaced locations on said elongated support member. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein one of said opposed ends is bevelled. 
     
     
       14. In combination: a video camera;   a video monitor; and   apparatus supporting both said video camera and said video monitor, said apparatus including a hollow, elongated support member for receiving and having substantially positioned therein the forearm of a person using the apparatus, a stabilizing member connected to said hollow, elongated support member and extendable outwardly from the hollow, elongated support member, said stabilizing member for positioning about the neck of a person using the apparatus to exert a stabilizing force on the hollow, elongated support member when the forearm of said person is substantially positioned within the hollow, elongated support member;   video camera mounting means on said hollow, elongated support member connecting said video camera to said hollow, elongated support member at a first location on said hollow, elongated support member; and   video monitor mounting means on said hollow, elongated support member connecting said video monitor to said hollow, elongated support member at a second location on said hollow, elongated support member spaced from said first location.   
     
     
       15. The combination according to claim 14 wherein said hollow, elongated support member has a general tube-like configuration and has opposed ends. 
     
     
       16. The combination according to claim 15 wherein said video camera and said video monitor are selectively adjustably mounted on said hollow, elongated support member. 
     
     
       17. The combination according to claim 14 additionally comprising a first handle attached to and within said hollow, elongated support member and a second handle attached to and disposed outside said hollow, elongated support member. 
     
     
       18. Apparatus for supporting both a video camera and a video monitor, said apparatus including: a hollow, elongated support member for receiving and having substantially positioned therein the forearm of a person using the apparatus;   video camera mounting means on said hollow, elongated support member for connecting a video camera to said hollow, elongated support member at a first location on said hollow, elongated support member; and   video monitor mounting means on said hollow, elongated support member for connecting a video monitor to said hollow, elongated support member at a second location on said hollow, elongated support member spaced from said first location.